Material-discernment proximity sensor

ABSTRACT

A material-discerning sensing device includes an antenna, a capacitive proximity sensor, and a control circuit. The antenna includes multiple conductive loops and is configured to radiate a wireless signal. The antenna defines an interior region devoid of the conductive loops and an exterior region outside the conductive loops. The capacitive proximity sensor includes a conductive pattern provided within the interior region or within a projection of the interior region, as well as a conductive bar. The control circuit is configured to detect a change in a characteristic of an electrical signal from the capacitive sensor. The conductive pattern includes a longitudinal portion, a first plurality of parallel conductors extending away from the longitudinal portion in a first direction and orthogonal to the longitudinal portion, and a second plurality of parallel conductors extending away from the longitudinal portion in a second direction opposite the first direction.

BACKGROUND

At least some proximity sensing techniques determine whether an objecthas entered into a range of a proximity sensor as well as an estimate ofthe distance to the object. For example, a capacitive electrode may beable to discern the proximal presence of an object. A variety of actionsmay be performed in response to detecting the object and determining thedistance between the sensor and the object. However, some proximitysensors may be unable to determine the nature of the proximal objectand/or the material(s) that comprise the object. As such, such sensorscannot differentiate between different types of proximate objects (e.g.,human finger, metal object, etc.). Accordingly, false positive proximaldetections may occur for certain objects that enter the range of theproximity sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a detailed description of various examples, reference will now bemade to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative computing device containing amaterial-discernment sensor in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a material-discerningproximity sensing system in accordance with various embodiments

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating radiated lobes of amaterial-discerning proximity sensing sensor in accordance with variousembodiments;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of the material discernmentsensor in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 5 shows a view of one surface of the material discernment sensorincluding an antenna coil in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 6 shows a view of an opposing surface of the material discernmentsensor including a capacitive sensor in accordance with variousembodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates a conductive pattern forming the capacitive sensor inaccordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 8 illustrates a conductive pattern forming the capacitive sensor inaccordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates a conductive pattern forming the capacitive sensor inaccordance with yet another embodiment; and

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating material-discerning proximitysensing in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claimsto refer to particular system components. As one skilled in the art willappreciate, different companies may refer to a component by differentnames. This document does not intend to distinguish between componentsthat differ in name but not function. In the following discussion and inthe claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in anopen-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including,but not limited to . . . .” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” isintended to mean either an indirect or direct wired or wirelessconnection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, thatconnection may be through a direct connection or through an indirectconnection via other devices and connections.

Some proximity sensors include a capacitive plate within an antennacoil. Such sensors can detect objects (referred to herein as “proximateobjects)) located near the capacitive plate and even discern the type ofmaterial comprising the proximate object. However, the range over whichthe sensor can correctly detect an object and discern its composition isrelatively limited. The relatively small range of such sensors is causedby eddy currents generated in the capacitive plate. In accordance withvarious embodiments, a material-discerning proximity sensor is providedthat includes a capacitive sensor that has a particular conductivepattern instead of a capacitive plate. The conductive pattern is suchthat eddy currents are not readily generated. As a result, the range ofthe sensor is greatly increased.

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative computing device 100 in accordance withvarious embodiments. For example, the computing device 100 may be, or isincorporated into, a mobile communication device 129, such as a mobilephone, a personal digital assistant, a personal computer, tabletcomputer, automotive electronics, projection (and/or media-playback)unit, or any other type of electronic system.

In some embodiments the computing device 100 comprises a megacell or asystem-on-chip (SoC) which includes control logic such as a centralprocessing unit (CPU) 112 and a storage device 114. The CPU 112 can beany suitable type of processor such as a CISC-type (Complex InstructionSet Computer) CPU, RISC-type CPU (Reduced Instruction Set Computer), adigital signal processor (DSP), etc. The storage device 114 may comprisevolatile storage (e.g., random access memory), non-volatile storage suchas magnetic storage (e.g., hard disk drive), solid state storage (e.g.,read only memory, flash storage, etc.), or optical storage (e.g.,compact disc). In some embodiments, storage device 114 may be integratedinto CPU 112, while in other embodiments, storage device 114 may be astorage device that is separate from CPU 112. The storage device 114 maystore one or more software applications 130 (e.g., embeddedapplications) which, when executed by the CPU 112, perform any suitablefunction associated with the computing device 100. The CPU 112 mayinclude (or be coupled to) a material-discernment proximity sensor 134,which includes various components as disclosed herein.

The CPU 112 comprises memory and logic that store information frequentlyaccessed from the storage 114. The computing device 100 may becontrolled by a user through a user interface (UI) 116, which providesoutput and receives input from the user during the execution of thesoftware application 130. The output is provided using the display 118,indicator lights, a speaker, vibrations, image projector 132, and thelike. The input is received using audio and/or video inputs (using, forexample, voice or image recognition), and hard and/or soft buttons. Thematerial-discernment proximity sensor 134 also may provide a signal asan input to the CPU 112. In some embodiments, the signal from thematerial-discernment proximity sensor 134 may indicate the type offoreign object in the vicinity of the material-discernment proximitysensor 134. In other embodiments, the material-discernment proximitysensor 134 provides a signal to the CPU 112 and the CPU 112 determinesthe type of foreign object based on the signal.

The CPU 112 is coupled to one or more input/output (I/O) ports 128 whichprovide an interface for the computing device 100. The I/O port 128 maybe configured to receive input from and/or provide output to peripheralsand/or networked devices 131, including tangible media (such as flashmemory) and/or cabled or wireless media. These and other input andoutput devices are selectively coupled to the computing device 100 byexternal devices using wireless (e.g., WiFi, cellular, Bluetooth, etc.)or cabled connections.

As disclosed herein, material-discerning sensing techniques allow anautonomous electronic system to more accurately determine the substanceof a proximal object by evaluating characteristics of materials that areincluded by the proximal object. Discernment of the characteristics ofmaterials included by the proximal object is used to reduce (and/oreliminate) problems that are associated with false positive proximaldetections.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of thematerial-discerning proximity sensor 134. In the example of FIG. 2, thematerial-discerning proximity sensor 134 includes a control circuit 190which includes a processor 210, a low pass filter 212, a common matchingnetwork 214, an antenna 220, a capacitive sensor 230, a filter 232, andan analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 240. The ADC 240 may be part of, orseparate from, the processor 210. In some embodiments, processor 210 isseparate from CPU 112 and in other embodiments, processor 210 is CPU112. In some embodiments, the components shown in FIG. 2 may be part ofthe material-discerning proximity sensor, while in other embodiments,some, but not all, of the components comprise the sensor.

Processor 210 is configured to control functions of material-discerningproximity sensor 134 in response to the closeness of a proximal object,such as a human finger, metal object, etc. Processor 210 generatesand/or controls a radio-frequency (RF) signal that can drive antenna220. The RF signal is a repetitive wave signal, which can be a sinewave, a square wave, or other waveforms suitable for driving antenna220. In some embodiments, a square wave signal is generated by processor210 and filtered by low pass filter 212 to pass a fundamental frequency(at a frequency such as 13.56 megahertz). Common matching network 214 isconfigured to balance the impedance of the feed lines to the antenna 220with the characteristic impedance of the antenna 220 itself.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, antenna 220 is implemented as acoil wherein the antenna, when energized, has an electrical core thatextends through a portion of the capacitive sensor 230. Antenna 220 mayalso be referred to as an inductor or an antenna coil. The coil ofantenna 220 can be arranged as, for example, a series of conductivetraces that progressively wind or loop (one or more times) around aninner portion of the capacitive sensor 230. In such embodiments, theconductive traces are referred to as loops. When the conductive loopsare arranged in a rectilinear fashion, each segment (or group ofsegments) is shorter (or longer, depending on a direction in which thesegments are traversed) such that the segments progressively “spiral”inwards to (or outwards from, depending on the direction in which thesegments are traversed) the capacitive proximity sensor 230. In analternate embodiment, the conductive traces also can be arranged usingcurved traces to form a curved spiral that is wound around thecapacitive sensor 230.

In the example of FIG. 2, the capacitive sensor 230 is formed as aconductive pattern 231 coupled to a conductive bar 234. The conductivebar 234 is electrically coupled to the conductive pattern 231 of thecapacitive sensor 230 via conductive connection 235. The antenna 220defines an interior region 248 which is devoid of any of the conductiveloops of the antenna 220. The antenna 220 also defines an exteriorregion 244 outside the plurality of loops. In some embodiments, theconductive pattern 231 of the capacitive sensor 230 (or at least aportion of it) is provided within the interior region 248, and theconductive bar 234 is provided in the exterior region 244. Theconductive bar has a width W4 which is substantially the same as thewidth W1 of the antenna coil 220 in at least some embodiments. In otherembodiments, the width W4 of the conductive bar 234 can be substantiallydifferent width W1 of the antenna coil 220.

The processor 210 through other components such as the low pass filter212 and the common matching network 214 couple to opposite ends of theconductive loops of antenna 220 as shown in FIG. 2. The conductive loopsof the antenna are arranged to be mutually inductive and form anelectric field in response to an applied RF signal generated by orcaused to be generated by, for example, processor 210. In someembodiments, an RF signal generator is included to generate the RFsignal upon receipt of an initiation signal by the processor 210.

The total length of the conductive loops of antenna 220, the number ofturns of the loops, the separation between adjacent loops, and the widthand length of each of the loops can be selected in accordance with apredetermined fraction of the wavelength of the RF signal (e.g., toneand/or carrier wave) coupled to the antenna 220. The range “r” is thedistance between the capacitive sensor 230 and the proximate object tobe detected by the sensor. The range “r” and directionality of theradiated electric field are affected by the shape, proportions, tracewidth, distance between traces, total inner perimeter of the conductivetraces and total outer perimeter of the conductive loops.

The electric field is illustrated in FIG. 2 as field lines {right arrowover (E)} in which field lines {right arrow over (E1)} are generated inassociation with a capacitive sensor mode and field lines {right arrowover (E2)} are generated in association with an RF/material discernmentmode. The field lines {right arrow over (E1)} illustrate the electricfield coupled between the object to be detected and the associatedportions of the capacitive sensor 230 and field lines {right arrow over(E2)} illustrate the electric field coupled between the loops of antenna220 and the associated portions of the capacitive sensor 230. An uppermain lobe and a lower main lobe of the electric and magnetic fields canbe used to detect the proximate object. The electric field is alsoassociated with magnetic components {right arrow over (E)}. Bothconductive and non-conductive objects may impact the strength of the{right arrow over (E)} field of the antenna 220, which is associatedwith field lines {right arrow over (E2)}. Thus, in a materialdiscernment mode of operation of the sensor 134, as the E field isimpacted, the {right arrow over (E2)} field thus also is impacted, whichcauses a change in the amplitude on the associated portions of thecapacitive proximity sensor 230 due to the changes, for example, in the{right arrow over (E2)} field.

Thus, the antenna 220 is arranged as a coil that, when energized,generates an electrical field having upper lobes and lower lobes, with amain upper lobe and main lower lobe defining an axis that extendsthrough a portion of the surface of the capacitive proximity sensor 230(as discussed below with respect to FIG. 3). When viewed as anorthogonal projection using an axis of projection (as viewed from above,for example) that is not parallel to a portion of the surface of thecapacitive proximity sensor 230, the traces appear to surround thecapacitive proximity sensor 230.

For ease of commercialization, the antenna is arranged to radiate aradio-frequency signal and can be driven by a transmit output powerbelow any applicable government regulated threshold (e.g., for afrequency band that includes the frequency of the radio-frequency signalcoupled to the antenna 220).

In accordance with various embodiments, the capacitive proximity sensor230 comprises a conductive pattern 231. In the example of FIG. 2, thepattern includes a longitudinal portion 245 which may extend from oneend of the pattern to the opposing end. The longitudinal portion 245 maybe formed as elongate conductor (i.e., longer in one direction than inan orthogonal direction). The pattern 231 may have a have length of L2and the longitudinal portion 245 may be substantially equal to L2.Extending away at, for example, a 90 degree angle (i.e., orthogonal) tothe longitudinal portion 245 is a first plurality of parallel conductors250 and a second plurality of conductors 260. Any number of conductorscan be included in the first and second pluralities of parallelconductors 250, 260 (e.g., 10 in each plurality). The first and secondpluralities of parallel conductors 250 and 260 may be electricallyconnected to the longitudinal portion 245 to thereby form one conductivepattern comprising the longitudinal portion 245 and first and secondpluralities of parallel conductors 250 and 260. In some embodiments,each conductor of the first and second pluralities of conductors has anelectrical connection only to longitudinal portion 245. The secondplurality of parallel conductors 260 extend away from the longitudinalportion in a direction generally opposite that of the first plurality ofparallel conductors 250. The pattern of the capacitive sensor 230 in theexample of FIG. 2 is thus reminiscent of a fish bone pattern. Due to thespacing between adjacent parallel conductors 250, 260 and that thepattern is not a plate, eddy currents are reduced or eliminated. As aresult, the range of operation of the sensor 134 is increased. The eddycurrents will generate small magnetics fields in the opposite directionof the main magnetic field generated by the outer conductor and thiswill reduce the overall magnetic field strength of the outer loopeffectively reducing the Quality factor of the outer loop inductor andtherefore increase the range.

Each of the parallel conductors 250, 260 includes a width which may becommon to all of the conductors and shown in FIG. 2 as W3. The spacingbetween adjacent parallel conductors is designated in FIG. 2 as D3. Insome embodiments D3 is substantially equal to W3. In other embodiments,D3 may be larger or smaller than W3. The lengths of the conductors mayall have the same length in some embodiments, while in other embodimentssome of the conductors may have different lengths than other conductors.The interior region 248 defined by the antenna 220 has a length in thedirection defined by L2 and a width in the direction defined by W2. Thecombined lengths of the conductors 250, 260 are substantially equal tothe width of the interior region 248 in at least some embodiments. Thatis, the conductors 250, 260 extend substantially across the span of theinterior region 248. In some embodiments, the length of the longitudinalportion 245 is not the same as the length of the interior region 248. Insome embodiments, the length L2 of the longitudinal portion 245 is atleast 80% of the length of the interior region 248.

The material comprising the capacitive sensor 230 may include copper.The outer dimensions of the conductive pattern is designated in FIG. 2as L2 and W2. L2 may be the same as or different than W2. The aspectratio of the outer dimensions L2 and W2 of capacitive sensor 230 canvary and the area thereof can be larger or smaller than the area of ahuman finger. The conductive pattern 231 of the capacitive sensor 230may be formed on a fixed substrate such as a printed circuit board (PCB)or formed on a flexible substrate such as a flexible PCB. As discussedabove, in an embodiment coil antenna 220 has dimensions L1 and W1 and isarranged around the perimeter of the capacitive proximity sensor 230.The width of each loop is designated as D2, and the spacing betweenloops is D1. The magnitude of D1 and D2, as well as the other dimensionslisted herein, can be customized for individual applications.

The material-discernment proximity sensor 134 is arranged to discern theproximal presence of an object by detecting a change in capacitance ofthe capacitive sensor. The material-discernment proximity sensor 134 isalso used as a sensor for the discernment of the material comprising theproximal object by sensing the disruption (and the degree of disruption)of the electric field produced by antenna 220. Thus thematerial-discernment proximity sensor 134 is used to make two differingtypes of measurements—a first measurement as to whether an object ispresent and a second measurement as to the composition of the object. Inan embodiment, the measurements are time-multiplexed in which the typesof measurements are alternated.

System 200 uses the capacitive sensor 230 in conjunction with anelectrical quantity sensor such as ADC 240 to measure the level at theapplied frequency of the electrical field coupled to the capacitivesensor 230 from the surrounding coil antenna 220. A function of theelectrical quantity sensor is to quantify (for example, in units oftime, resistance, capacitance, and the like) a detected electricalproperty that is associated with the capacitive sensor. As variousobjects move into the field of the antenna, the objects impact andinterfere with the tuning and efficiency of the antenna 220 and thecommon matching network 214 (which can be matched to the antenna 220).Objects in the field that are conductive affect characteristics of themagnetic field (and the concomitant electric field) output by theantenna 220 to a substantially greater degree than non-conductiveobjects. As such, in at least some embodiments, the material-discernmentproximity sensor 134 can differentiate metal from non-metal objects. Onecharacteristic of the characteristics of the electric field that ischanged is manifested as a change in amplitude (e.g., voltage and/orcurrent) of the radio-frequency signal used to generate the electric andmagnetic fields coupled to the capacitive sensor 230.

The change in amplitude of radio-frequency signal can be detected byusing measurements performed by the ADC 240. The ADC 240 forwards themeasurements as data to be used by software and/or firmware of theprocessor 210. Filter 232 may be employed to filter the receivedradio-frequency signal to prevent and/or reduce aliasing of the sampledradio-frequency signal by the ADC 240.

In an embodiment, a relatively low speed ADC 240 can be used to minimizepower consumption, complexity, and layout area, although any speed ADCcan be used. With a low-speed ADC implementation, under-sampling andaliasing are intentionally used in a manner that allows for signalenergy at the ADC 240 input to be detected while providing increasedimmunity to noise.

Without external filtering (to maintain a low cost implementation, forexample), the amplitude of the radio signal frequency received from thecapacitive sensor 230 can still be measured by the ADC 240 regardless ofdegree of aliasing caused by under-sampling even given a large disparityin sampling rate and Nyquist rates with regard to the frequency of theradio-frequency signal. The capacitive sensor 230 that is under-sampledby the ADC 240 thus effectively may operate using a broadband input.

The total energy determined by the under-sampled ADC 240 input isdetermined by, for example, summing the magnitude of the samples of thecapacitive sensor 230 (as affected by the electric field) over aselected time period (e.g., a tenth of a second) in which to accumulatesamples. In an alternate embodiment, a software envelope detector can bearranged to determine the total energy. Thus, an unperturbed electricfield, the presence of a non-conductive object within the electricfield, and the presence of noise content do not substantially affect thebaseline level of energy at the ADC 240 input.

The amplitude of the sampled signal (even without the interveningpresence of filter 232) is not substantially incorrectly measured by theADC 240 when under-sampling the signal from the capacitive sensor 230.The ADC 240 is able to substantially correctly measure the energycoupled to the capacitive sensor 230 because the presence of a proximalconductive object (within range of the electric field) both lowers theenergy signal amplitude as determined by accumulating samples over aselected time period at the input of the ADC 240, and also tends toshield the system 200 from external noise sources. Accordingly,under-sampling by the ADC 240 provides for increased noise immunity forthe system, while also allowing the use of a relatively simple (e.g.,low cost) broadband ADC 240 to measure the capacitive sensor 230.

In other embodiments, more complex ADCs, comparators, sample-and-holdcircuits, or other common peripherals or other various types of voltagesensors may be used to detect a change in amplitude of radio-frequencysignal coupled to capacitive proximity 230. The detected change inamplitude of the radio-frequency signal coupled to capacitive sensor 230can be detected by accumulating samples over a selected time periodusing an electrical quantity sensor.

In an embodiment, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) signalgenerator can be arranged to couple an RFID signal to the antenna 220such that the antenna is used to radiate an RFID radio-frequency signal.Using the antenna 220 to radiate the RFID radio-frequency signal allowsthe system 200 design to be more compact as it obviates the need to havean antenna dedicated solely for radiating the RFID signal. Likewise, thecapacitive sensor 230 is arranged to receive the RFID radio-frequencysignal. Using the capacitive sensor 230 to receive the RFIDradio-frequency signal allows the material-discernment proximity sensor134 design to be more compact by obviating the need to have a receivingantenna solely dedicated for receiving the RFID radio-frequency signal.

Similarly, the ADC 240 can be configured to sample the RFIDradio-frequency signal received by the capacitive sensor and to outputand to transmit the samples to the processor 210 to provide an RFIDcapability for system 200. Using the ADC 240 to sample the RFIDradio-frequency signal allows the system 200 design to be more compactby sharing the use of the ADC for reading the RFID radio-frequencysignal, reading the received radio-frequency signal, and measuring acapacitance of the capacitive sensor 230, for example. The readings ofthe received radio-frequency signal, the received RFID radio-frequencysignal, and the capacitance of the capacitive sensor can betime-multiplexed when transmitted to the processor 210, for example.

The selected time periods for reading of the received radio-frequencysignal, the received RFID radio-frequency signal, and the capacitance ofthe capacitive sensor can vary in accordance with the selected readingfunction. For example, the time period for reading the RFIDradio-frequency signal can be selected in accordance with the RFIDprotocols. Likewise, the time period for measuring the capacitance ofthe capacitive sensor 230 can be selected in accordance with a timeinterval suitable for determining an RC (resistive-capacitive)time-constant associated with an implementation of the capacitive sensor230.

Similarly, the time period for readings of the received radio-frequencysignal can be selected in accordance with a time interval suitable fordetermining the movement of a proximal object within the electric field.For a human finger moving within range “r” of a lobe of the magnetic andelectric field, a selected time interval for accumulating samples can beselected to determine the velocity of the finger moving through a lobeof the electric field.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating radiated lobes of amaterial-discerning proximity sensing sensor 134 in accordance withembodiments of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, antenna 220 isarranged as a coil that, when energized, generates an electrical fieldin response to a radio-frequency signal being coupled the antenna 220.In FIG. 3, the electric field 300 is illustrated as a main “lobe” of thegenerated having an upper lobe 320 and a lower lobe 330. The upper andlower lobes 320 and 330 define an axis that extends through a portion ofthe surface of the capacitive sensor 230. The upper lobe 320 and thelower lobe 330 are illustrated as geometric shapes for the sake ofsimplicity. In various embodiments the shape of the electric fieldvaries in accordance with the various shapes and arrangements of theantenna 220 and the capacitive sensor 230.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate an embodiment of at least a portion of the materialdiscernment proximity sensor 134. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional sideview while FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate perspective views. Referring firstto FIG. 4, the sensor 134 comprises a dielectric structure 350 includingfirst and second opposing surfaces 351 and 352. The dielectric structuremay comprise Polymide or other suitable material. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 4-6, the antenna coil is formed on surface 351 and the capacitivesensor 230 is formed on the opposing surface 352. The conductive pattern231 is shown on side 352 spaced apart from the conductive bar 234. Insome embodiments, the antenna coil 220 and the capacitive proximitysensor 220 may comprise flexible conductive tape. The thickness of thedielectric material is represented as D4, and thus the separationbetween the antenna coil 220 and the capacitive proximity sensor 230also is substantially equal to D4 in this example.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing the antenna coil 220formed on surface 351 of the dielectric structure 350. An axis 360 isshown orthogonal to the plane defined by surface 351. The axis 360 isalso shown in FIG. 4. The antenna coil 220 of FIG. 5 is formed onsurface 351 and thus defines a plane passing through the antenna coilthat is the same plane as that defined by surface 351. Similarly, thecapacitive proximity sensor 230 shown in FIG. 6 is formed on surface 352and thus defines a plane passing through the proximity sensor 230 thatis the same plane as that defined by surface 352. The two planes definedby the antenna coil 220 and capacitive proximity sensor 230 are parallelto each other and axially spaced apart from each other by distance D4.The conductive pattern 231 is within the interior region 248 of theantenna coil 220 as the interior region 248 is projected on to opposingsurface 351 as best illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 7 illustrates a view of surface 352 of the capacitive proximitysensor 230. This view shows the conductive pattern 231 coupled to theconductive bar 232 by the conductive connection 235. The figure showstwo dashed boxes—an inner dashed box and an outer dashed box 369. Theinner dashed box represents the projection from opposing surface 351 ofthe interior region 248 of the antenna coil 220 that is devoid of any ofthe antenna coils. The outer dashed box 369 represents a projection fromopposing surface 351 of the outer periphery of the antenna coil 220. Theantenna coil 220 itself is thus provided into the space 370 on surface351 between the two dashed boxes. As can be seen in the example of FIG.7, the parallel conductors 250 and 260 extend away from conductivelongitudinal portion 245 but do not cross dashed box representing theprojection of interior region 248. As such, the parallel conductors 250and 260 do not overlap the antenna coil 220 which is provided in space370.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment to that of FIG. 7. In FIG. 8 theparallel conductors 250, 260 extend far away enough from conductivelongitudinal portion 245 so as to extend into the space 270 (notspecifically designated in FIG. 8) in which the antenna coil 220 iscontained (antenna coil 220 is shown in dashed line). In thisembodiment, the parallel conductors 250, 260 overlap one or more loopsof the antenna coil 220. Because the parallel conductors 250, 260 areprovided on a plane axially spaced along axis 360 from the plane definedby the antenna coil 220, the antenna coil 220 is not in electricalcontact with the parallel conductors of the conductive pattern of thecapacitive proximity sensor 230. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, at least aportion of each of the plurality of conductors on surface 352 crosses atleast one of the conductive loops of the antenna coil 220 when suchloops are projected on to surface 352.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment to conductive pattern 231. InFIG. 9, an alternative conductive pattern 375 is shown as implemented aspart of the capacitive proximity sensor. The conductive pattern 375includes a central conductive portion 378 from which a plurality ofconductors 380 radiate outward to form a star pattern. The centralconductive portion 378 may be generally circular in some embodiments.The conductors 380 in this embodiment are not parallel to each other andextend away from the central portion 378 at various angles as shown. Anynumber of conductors 380 can be included and such conductors extend awayfrom the central conductive portion 378 in at least three differentdirections.

In the above embodiments, the conductive pattern of the capacitiveproximity sensor 230 is spaced apart from the antenna coil 220 onopposing surfaces of a dielectric structure. In other embodiments, theconductive pattern (231, 375) may formed in the same plane as thatdefined by the antenna coil 220. In such embodiments, the conductivepattern is axially aligned with the antenna coil with respect to axis360. Further, the conductive bar also may be in the same plane as theconductive pattern and the antenna coil 220. The conductive connection235 electrically connecting the conductive pattern to the conductive bar234 may be formed as a conductive trace in a different layer (e.g., onan opposing surface of the dielectric structure) and connected to therespective conductive bar and conductive pattern using vias filled withconductive material.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a material-discerning proximitysensing in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. The programflow illustrated herein is exemplary, and thus various operations withinthe program flow can be performed in an order that is not necessarilythe same as the program flow illustrated herein. The illustrativeoperations shown in FIG. 4 may be performed in the order shown or in adifferent order. Further, two or more of the operations may be performedin parallel rather than sequentially.

In operation 410, a change in the capacitance of the capacitive sensoris detected. The capacitive change is detected using any suitable methodincluding, for example, measuring an RC time-constant that is associatedwith the capacitive sensor. As discussed above, the change incapacitance can detect the proximity of an object, but may beinsufficient to discern the material that comprises the object.

In operation 412, a determination is made whether a change incapacitance has been detected. A change in capacitance may indicate thepresence of a proximate object with the range of the sensor 134. If achange in capacitance has not occurred, program flow proceeds tooperation 410. If a change in capacitance has occurred, program flowproceeds to operation 420.

In operation 420, a radio-frequency signal is radiated by an antennathat is substantially arranged around a capacitive sensor. The antennais substantially arranged around the capacitive sensor when the radiatedradio-frequency signal induces a voltage in the capacitive sensor.Program flow proceeds to operation 420.

In operation 430, the capacitive sensor receives the radiatedradio-frequency signal. A baseline measurement (such as when there is noobject in the proximity of the capacitive sensor) of the magnitude ofthe received radio-frequency signal. The baseline measurement can bemade by under-sampling (e.g., below Nyquist rates) the receivedradio-frequency signal using an ADC as described above to detect anenergy level of the received radio-frequency signal received over aselected time period. The under-sampling also increases the relativeamount of noise immunity of the system used to perform thematerial-discerning proximity sensing. The noise is typically generatedexternally to the system, although noise generated by the system is alsopossible. Program flow proceeds to operation 440.

In operation 440, a change in the received radio-frequency signal isdetected. The change in the received radio-frequency signal is detectedby measuring the magnitude of the received radio-frequency signal (usingthe under-sampling ADC, for example). Program flow proceeds to operation450.

In operation 450, the detected changes in the received radio-frequencysignal are monitored. The detected changes in the receivedradio-frequency signal are monitored by comparing the measured magnitudewith the baseline measurement to determine the degree of the detectedchange. The change in the received radio-frequency signal can also bedetected by measuring the magnitude of the received radio-frequencysignal and comparing the measured magnitude with a predeterminedthreshold to determine the degree of detected change. The change in thereceived radio-frequency signal can also be detected by measuring themagnitude of the received radio-frequency signal and comparing themeasured magnitude with a list of one or more thresholds that comparewith predetermined thresholds that each correspond to a type of materialof an object (such as a human finger) that would be used to make a validproximity detection. Program flow proceeds to operation 460.

In operation 460, a determination is made whether a valid proximitydetection has occurred. Comparison of the measured magnitude of thereceived radio-frequency signal with the predetermined thresholdsprovides an indication of the material that comprises a proximal object(e.g., that causes the detected change in capacitance). The measuredmagnitude is in direct proportion to the conductivity of the proximalobject. Thus, discernment of a characteristic of the material thatcomprises the proximal object increases the likelihood of a validdetection. If a valid proximity detection has not occurred, program flowproceeds to operation 430. If a valid proximity detection has occurred,program flow proceeds to operation 470.

In operation 470, a valid detection signal is output. The validdetection signal is output in response to the determination of a validdetection. The output valid detection signal is used by a processingsystem to perform an action in response to the valid detection of aproximate object (detected in response to a press of a human finger, forexample). The action performed can be any action performable by a systemsuch as accepting a security code, selection of an elevator control,dispensing a selected product from a machine, and the like. Program flowproceeds to node 490 and terminates.

The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles andvarious embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations andmodifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once theabove disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the followingclaims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.

What is claimed is:
 1. A material-discerning sensing device, comprising:an antenna comprising a plurality of conductive loops and configured toradiate a wireless signal, the antenna defining an interior regiondevoid of any of the plurality of conductive loops and an exteriorregion outside the plurality of conductive loops; a capacitive sensorcomprising a conductive pattern at least a portion which is providedwithin the interior region or within a projection of the interiorregion, the capacitive sensor also comprising a conductive bar providedin the exterior region or in a projection of the exterior region andelectrically coupled to the conductive pattern, wherein the capacitivesensor is configured to receive the wireless signal from the antenna;and a control circuit coupled to the antenna and to the conductive bar,wherein the control circuit is configured to detect a change in acharacteristic of an electrical signal from the capacitive sensor;wherein the conductive pattern includes a longitudinal portion, a firstplurality of parallel conductors extending away from the longitudinalportion in a first direction and orthogonal to the longitudinal portion,and a second plurality of parallel conductors extending away from thelongitudinal portion in a second direction opposite the first directionand orthogonal to the longitudinal portion.
 2. The material-discerningsensing device of claim 1, wherein a portion of each conductor of thefirst and second pluralities of parallel conductors is within theprojection of the interior region, and another portion of each conductorof the first and second pluralities of parallel conductors crosses aprojection of at least one of the plurality of conductive loops of theantenna.
 3. The material-discerning sensing device of claim 1, whereineach conductor of the first and second pluralities of parallelconductors has a length and a common width, and each conductor of thefirst plurality of parallel conductors is spaced apart from an adjacentconductor of the first plurality of parallel conductors by a distancethat is substantially the same as the common width.
 4. Thematerial-discerning sensing device of claim 3, wherein each conductor ofthe second plurality of parallel conductors are spaced apart from oneanother by a distance that is substantially the same as the commonwidth.
 5. The material-discerning sensing device of claim 3, wherein thelengths of the first and second pluralities of parallel conductors aresubstantially the same.
 6. The material-discerning sensing device ofclaim 1, wherein each conductor of the first and second pluralities ofparallel conductors has an electrical connection only to thelongitudinal portion of the conductive pattern.
 7. An apparatus,comprising: a dielectric structure having a first surface and a secondsurface opposite the first surface; a first conductive structureprovided on the first surface of the dielectric structure and forming anantenna coil that includes multiple conductive loops which define aninterior region devoid of any of the conductive loops of the antennacoil; a second conductive structure provided on the second surface ofthe dielectric structure and forming a conductive pattern, wherein theconductive pattern includes a plurality of conductors extending awayfrom a central conductive portion in at least two different directions;wherein the central conductive portion is within the interior regionwhen projected on to the second surface; and a control circuit coupledto the first conductive structure and the second conductive structureand operable to: cause the first conductive structure to produce anelectric field; detect a change in a capacitance of the secondconductive structure resulting from a change in the electric field; anddetect a proximity based on the change in the capacitance of the secondconductive structure.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the centralconductive portion comprises an elongate conductor and wherein adjacentconductors of the plurality of conductors are parallel to each other. 9.The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each conductor of the plurality ofconductors has a length and a common width, and the plurality ofconductors are spaced apart from one another by a distance that issubstantially the same as the common width.
 10. The apparatus of claim7, wherein adjacent conductors of the plurality of conductors are notparallel to each other.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least aportion of each of the plurality of conductors is within the interiorregion when projected on to the second surface of the dielectricstructure.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein a portion of each ofthe plurality of conductors is within the interior region when projectedon to the second surface of the dielectric structure, and anotherportion of each of the plurality of conductors crosses at least one ofthe conductive loops of the antenna coil when projected on to the secondsurface of the dielectric structure.
 13. The apparatus of claim 7,further comprising a conductive bar formed on the second surface outsidethe first conductive structure when projected on to the second surface,wherein the conductive bar is electrically connected to the secondconductive structure.
 14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein theplurality of conductors extend away from the central conductive portionin at least three different directions.
 15. The apparatus of claim 7,wherein each conductor of the plurality of conductors has an electricalconnection only to the central conductive portion.
 16. A sensorapparatus, comprising: a dielectric structure having a first surface anda second surface opposite the first surface; a first conductivestructure provided on the first surface of the dielectric structure andforming an antenna coil that includes multiple conductive loops thatdefine a central region devoid of any of the conductive loops of theantenna coil; a second conductive structure provided on the secondsurface of the dielectric structure and forming a conductive pattern,wherein the conductive pattern includes a central longitudinal portionand a first plurality of parallel conductors extending away from thecentral portion in a first direction and a second plurality of parallelconductors extending away from the central portion in a second directionopposite the first direction; wherein the central region has a length,and wherein the central longitudinal portion extends more than 80% ofthe length of the central region and is within the central region whenprojected on to the second surface of the dielectric structure; and acontroller coupled to the first conductive structure, wherein thecontroller is operable to: cause the first conductive structure toproduce an electric field; measure a change in a capacitance of thesecond conductive structure resulting from a change in the electricfield; and detect a proximity based on the change in the capacitance ofthe second conductive structure.
 17. The sensor apparatus of claim 16,wherein at least a portion of each of the first and second plurality ofparallel conductors is within the central region when projected on tothe second surface of the dielectric structure.
 18. The sensor apparatusof claim 16, wherein a portion of each of the first and second pluralityof parallel conductors is within the central region when projected on tothe second surface, and another portion of each of the first and secondplurality of parallel conductors crosses at least one of the conductiveloops of the antenna coil when projected on to the second surface of thedielectric structure.
 19. The sensor apparatus of claim 16, furthercomprising a conductive bar formed on the second surface outside thefirst conductive structure when projected on to the second surface,wherein the conductive bar is electrically connected to the secondconductive structure.
 20. The sensor apparatus of claim 19, wherein theantenna coil has a width and the conductive bar has a width, and thewidth of the conductive bar is substantially the same as the width ofthe antenna coil.